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Hey guys i've got the same question. i'm 44, 6'3" 205 lbs. and surf 6 days a week for almost 3 years. unfortunately i surf heavy beach breaks like ocean beach SF.

i surf a 6'8" alternator in decent 4-7' and just ordered a 6'4" spitfire for the small stuff. now i'm looking to finish out my quiver on the top end: 7'- 10'. my problem with bigger waves is really only when they get really steep (especially off shore) and heavy. i feel like i can't get in in time and my drop ends up being too steep for my comfort level. my paddling is pretty strong but i may just lack confidence as i've gotten a concussion, multiple stitches and broken 7 boards in my short career. i'm wondering about using a bigger alternator since i'm pretty comfortable on them. the question would be 6'10" or 7'2". i guess the trade off is getting in earlier on the 7'2" but maybe having it skip around on me more?

i actually have a 7'2" which was my first "short board" but it's a squash tail. how important is it that it be a round tail. i only really care about making the wave and getting down the line for now. is the round tail like 10% better for this or like 50% better for this? i'm not dying to order a 7'2" roundtail if it's only a little different. in fact, could i just compensate for the tail by getting massive fins?

summary for short attention spans :)
step up from 6'8" go-to board for 7'-10':
- 6'10 or 7'2 alternator?
- round vs. squash: small difference or huge difference?
- can i compensate for it with huge fins?

thanks a bunch, looking forward to getting back to surfing and not typing!

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i actually have a 7'2" which was my first "short board" but it's a squash tail. how important is it that it be a round tail. i only really care about making the wave and getting down the line for now. is the round tail like 10% better for this or like 50% better for this? i'm not dying to order a 7'2" roundtail if it's only a little different. in fact, could i just compensate for the tail by getting massive fins?

summary for short attention spans :)
step up from 6'8" go-to board for 7'-10':
- 6'10 or 7'2 alternator?
- round vs. squash: small difference or huge difference?
- can i compensate for it with huge fins?

thanks a bunch, looking forward to getting back to surfing and not typing!

I think the difference between a squash and a round tail probably won't be huge depending on the rest of the board. Things like rails and rocker make the difference too as well as overall plan shape. Besides I think it is a rounded pin which is often seen on boards meant for bigger waves. I have had both squash tail and rounded pin that I've used in bigger waves and both seemed handle size about the same, I just prefered the rounded pin, it seemed to pivot better and release better off the top. It surprised me that the stiffer of the two was the squash tail, both similar lengths 6'5 for the rounded pin (Byrne TC Plus) and 6'6 squash (Mark Rabbidge).

You don't even need huge fins, a fin with a longish base like the R2 or TC Redline will give you lots of drive but the thing is what works in one board might not be as good in another. I've found over the years I buy the board then I have to try a few different sets until I find the right ones that complement the board and make it go how I like. That said, as a general guide something bigger will give you more hold, the question is at what expense? For bigger waves drag isn't an issue as you should have tonnes of speed, but release and turning arc still matter. Fins can help tune, but they can't change a board's basic design. It has to be designed to handle the waves you intend to ride, so whether it is a squash, round or rounded pin, if it is designed to handle the waves you want to ride it in, you'll be able to find fins that make it go well. So bigger fins, or fins with more rake might give you a bit extra, but not that much, that is, a small wave board might handle a bit more juice but obviously it will never be transformed into a big wave board.

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My preferred tail shape, which is completely intuitive and I'm only now rationalising for the first time is;

Square tail for really small waves. Exception alert - I often surf my Dom in really small waves. It is fair to say though my flat rockered square tail helps generate more drive in waves which don't already offer it.

Round tail for mid size waves to maybe 1.5 up to 2 times overhead.

Rounded pin for 2 x overhead.

Sit on beach/point in admiration when it gets above 2 times overhead, or seek out novelty spots.

I also like swallow tails as an all round option but haven't had one in the quiver for a few years. Almost bid on a webber salomon s-core afterburner on evil bay recently until the logical part of my brain insisted I didn't need it. Still, Webber is a legend.

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thanks guys. so do you think the 6'10 round tail or my 7'2" squash would be a decent 7'-10' board? is it a good shape or should i look at something else? are the round tails and squash identical except for the tail. or are they shaped different throughout? that photo looks a lot more sleek in the tail than my squash

Guys, Have fun chasing big Waves (and Liability), whereas at my age now, I am purely a spectator at anything Over Double Over Head ++. I cannot stay in shape nor have the time (due to young growing family) chasing that rare big wave window. More serious injuries occur when you are beyond your mental and physical capacity. All my boards now and future boards will all be targeting the average to moderate size waves for my Realm. I sold all my rhino chasers earlier last year. (7-2, 7-6, 7-10 and 8-4) A couple of them only ridden 3 times.